K. DOMESTIC AND HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY. 435 



formation of marginal stains around the spots must be pre- 

 vented by thorough use of the soft sponge and soft silk cloth. 

 An article that still retains decided stains is brushed with a 

 cold decoction of soap-bark, to which some alcohol has been 

 added, and is then quickly passed through water, and then 

 through water slightly acidulated with acetic acid, and dried 

 rapidly. Kid gloves are well rubbed with the hands, sepa- 

 rately, in benzine, each finger being then rubbed on a stretch- 

 er with a rag, and after being blown up they are hung up to 

 dry. Articles treated with benzine need but little subsequent 

 finishing, and this may be accomplished by applying a solu- 

 tion of gum arabic in water, and a little alcohol, uniformly, 

 with a rai>:, and ironing. Portions of coats that have been 

 taken apart need simply be stretched and moistened uniform- 

 ly with alcohol, and allowed to dry rapidly. Heavy cloth, 

 velvet, etc., after being well steamed, are treated on the wrong 

 side with so little dressing (best of tragacanth) that it does 

 not go through, and are then placed on the finishing frame or 

 warm drum. White furs and angora tassels are passed im- 

 mediately from the benzine through pulverized chalk, and 

 allowed to dry, and are then beaten out,*when the leather 

 will remain elastic and the fur look well. Benzine that has 

 become turbid by use may be purified by thoroughly stirring 

 ten drops of oil of vitriol into about two bucketfuls of it, and 

 allowing it to settle. The operations must of course not be 

 conducted near the lamp or fire, on account of the combusti- 

 bility of benzine. 26 C 7 , 1874, vi., 52. 



CEMENT FOR RENDERING CORKS TIGHT. 



The corks should be brushed several times with a mixture 

 of a solution of shellac, of the consistency of sirup, prepared 

 by the aid of heat, and with a similar solution of caoutchouc 

 in benzine, separately prepared ; care being taken that one 

 coat is perfectly dry before another is laid on. 5 C, 1874, 

 xix., 152. 



REMOVING GREASE-SPOTS WITH BENZINE. 



The usual method of moistening the spot with benzine or 

 turpentine, and rubbing with a rag, often until the nap is 

 completely removed, produces at best a very transitory ef- 

 fect, the spot reappearing, if any thing, larger and more un- 



